Multiple transfer press



Aug. 4, 1936. A. J. LEWIS MULTIPLE TRANSFER PRESS Filed April 4, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Aug. 4, 1936. A. J. LEWIS MULTIPLE TRANSFER PRESS 5' Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 4, 1935 ATTORN EY5 A. J. LEWIS MULTIPLE TRANSFER PRESS Aug. 4, 1936.

Filed Apiil 4, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORN EY5 Aug. 4, 1936. A. J. LEWIS MULTIPLE TRANSFER PRESS Filed April 4, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY5 vAug. 4, 1936. J w 2,049,915

' MULTIPLE TRANSFER PRESS Filed April 4, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 4, 1936 PATENT OFFICE I MULTIPLE TRANSFER PRESS Arthur J. Lewis, Stratford, Conn., assignor to The Baird Machine Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application April 4, 1935, Serial No. 14,613

18 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in presses and has particular relation to multiple transfer presses' An object of the invention is to provide a press of thekind indicated and which is particularly adapted for accurate and rapid handling of work.

Briefly the invention comprises a press including a single gate carrying and simultaneously operating tools for a plurality of operations, a reciprocating transfer means with work holding fingers for carrying the work from one set of tools to the other, and means independent of the blanking punch and operated in timed relation with the gate to carry the blanks through the blanking die.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein. a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. I

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view showing a press constructed according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof looking from thev left in Fig. 1 the metal feed and clamping means being omitted;

Fig. 3 is an end view showing the metal strip feeding means, other parts being omitted;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of a portion of the press showing the metal strip clamping means, other parts being omitted;

Fig. 5 is a view showing a part of the frame in section and showing the metal strip feeding means in plan;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the transfer operating means;

scale showing the complete tool assemblyand with the gate in its lowest position;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of the transfer slide; a

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale through the blanking punch and dieassembly with the punch in its lower position;

Fig. 12 is a somewhat similar view but shows the work carried into the transfer while the punch is moving upwardly;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but showing the tools at the second station of the press; 5 Fig. 14 is a view somewhat the same as Fig. 13 but showing the positions of the parts when the punch is carrying the work out of the transfer and when the work is being returned to the transfer for movement to the next station;

Fig..15 is a view similar to Fig. 13 but showing the operation at the third station of the press;

Fig. 16 is a similar view but showing the operation at the last station of the press;

Figs. 17 to 170 are views showing in plan the work at the various stages of its progress through the press;

Fig. 18 is an edge view of the finished piece;

Fig. 19 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale showing the drive for the transfer and showing 20 blanking die and a metal strip from which the work is being punched; and

Fig. 20 is a cam chart of the press.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the press is shown as including a frame generally designated l0 and mounted on any suitable support such as the legs II and the frame includes a base portion l2 and sidearms l3 and I4. Extendin across the frame in and supported by the upper portions of the arms I3 and i4 is a shaft 15 to one end of which is secured a combined drive pulley and fly wheel l6 driven in any or the usual manner as for example a belt from a suitable power shaft, to bring about rotation of the shaft l5. On the opposite end of the shaft is a beveled gear 11, and on the shaft between such gear and the adjacent arm of the frame is a cam Ill. The purpose of the gear l1 and cam 18 will later be described.

Between the side arms of the frame the shaft 15 includes an eccentric portion 19 of relatively great length and about such shaft portion is a housing or hearing 20 connected as by a link portion 2| with a single vertically movable gate 22 slidable between'the arms of the frame ill in guides 22a, and adapted to be reciprocated vertically when the shaft [5 is rotated. The link 2| is hinged or pivoted at 22b to gate 22 so it may swing mounted in the die block 28 and later to be more fully described.

A mounting member 2!, including a tubular portion 38 extending vertically through the block 21, mounts or carries the cutting or blanking punch 23 and also may if desired mount a piercing punch 8 in certain spaced relation to the blanking punch.- The various forming tools or punches 24, 25 and 26 are all mounted in substantially. the same manner, and eachincludes'a shank 3| entering a vertical socket in theblock 21 and held therein and against turning movement as by a set screw 32. Threaded through the upper side of the block 21 are adjusting screws 33 bearing against the upper ends of the tool shanks 3i and adapted to adjust the positions of the tools on the set screws 32 being loosened. The upper end of the tubular portion 38 of the mounting member 28 is screw threaded as at 34 and a nut 35 thereon er plate or stripper 48 betweemwhich and the die are arranged strips or spacers 4i having their ad-- jacent edges spaced apart providing a channel for the passage of a flat strip of metal 42 from which the blanks are to be out. From the above it will be understood that the transfer 31 operates beneath the cutting or blanking die 38.

In alignment with the second operation tool or punch 24 the die block is provided with a recess 43 within which is arranged a vertically slidable die holder 44- carrying a suitable die'45 clamped' in placebetween the clamps or jaws 48. Within the recess 43 below the die holder 44 is an anvil 41 resting on a bottom wall 41a. In its opposite sides the die holder 44 is notched or cut away as at 48 and recessed into the block 28 are bars or straps 48 forming guides for the die holder and also forming stop's against which the die holder engages when in its upper position, the notches 48 accommodating such bars. j

A recess 58 is provided in the die block-in spaced relation to the recess 43, and said recess 58 accommodates a die for limited vertical sliding movement notched in its opposite sides as at .52. Straps 53 are recessed in the die block and their inner ends enter the notches or recesses 52 when the die 5| is in its upper position, and since the formation of the notches 52 results in'the die having flatted portions the ends of the straps 53 serve to cated in-the recess 58 below the die.

A vertically slidable die 55 is arranged in vertical alignment with the tool or punch 26 and is locatedin a recess 58 in the die block. The die I5 is notched in its oposite sides as at 51, and a pair of bars 58 and 88 are recessed into the die block and extend into such notches and are adjustable as by screws 88 and 8| respectively. Bars 58 and 58 serve to limit upward movement of the die 58 and they also function as part of the die as will later be fully described. While the bars are held in place by screws 82 it will be noticed that such screws pass through. elongated openings 58 r in the bars whereby the latter are adjustable by the screws 88 and 8|.

. Extending into the respective recesses 43, 58 and wardly into the transfer 31.

55 beneath the die holder 43, die 51 and die 55 respectively are push pins or rods 54, 85 and 68 each at its lower end bearing against a head 81. The heads 81 are carried by rods 58 located within openings in the frame base portion 12, and about each such rod below its head is a coil spring 88 bearing at one end against a head 81 and at its other 'end against a screw threaded plug 18. These rods 88 extend below the base of the machine and are provided with adjustable stop nuts I lwhereby the distance the rods may be moved by the springs 58 is adjustable. From each of the recesses 43, 58 and- 55 there is an opening 12 extending to the outer side of. the die block and such openings provide for the escape of air from the recesses at certain times as will later appear. The plugs 18 maybe adjusted by a wrench on heads 10a and secured in adjusted positions by lock nuts 18b.

. According to the present invention the cutting punch 23 does not operate to force a blank through the cutting die 38. As the punch descends it cuts the blank 13 from the strip 42 and carries such blank substantially into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 11. Thereafter at the 2 proper time the blank is forced through the die 38 and into the transfer 31 by means of a plunger 14 operable through but independent of the'cut- .tin'g punch: This plunger is carried by an extension to the upper end of which is secured a member or head 18 having a notch receiving an.

. end of an arm 11. Intermediate its ends the arm "is pivoted at 18 to an extension 18 of a bracket 88 secured to the frame II) as by bolts BI.

The outer end portion or the bracket 88 comprises an upper bearing 82 for a vertically ex-'- tending shaft 83 the, lower end of which has bearing in a bracket 84 secured to the frame as by bolts 85. On the upper end of the shaft 83 and meshing with the beveled gear 11 is a beveled gear 88. Owing to this-gearing it will be apparent that the shaft 83 will be rotated in timed relation with the movements of the gate 22. On the shaft 83 immediately below the bearing 82 is a cam 81 into the groove of-which extends a roller 88 cafried by the outer end of the arm 11. with the described arrangement it will be understood that as the cam 81 is rotated the arm 11 will be oscillated about its pivot and a reciprocating movement will be imparted to' the plunger As the plunger 14 moves downwardly through the cutting punch 23 it will engage the blank 13 in the cutting die and carry such blank down-- A follower or lift rod 88 is arranged in alignment with the plunger 14-.and is movable into the die'38 to a position against the lower side of the blank 13 by a spring 88. This spring connected to lever 83 constantly tends to rock upwardly this arm and through shaft 82 and arm 8| carrying the follower 88, such arm 8|, being clamped to shaft 82 which is supported beneath the machine bed and at one 'shown) by any desired feeding means as, for

example, that generally designated 88. Briefly 7 the feed includes a slide 91 carrying a shaft 98 to which is connected a link 99 pivoted at I to the lower end of an arm IOI. Such arm is pivoted intermediate its ends at I02 to a bracket I03 secured to the frame I0 as by bolts I04.

At its 'upper end the arm IOI carries a roller I05 riding against the edge of the cam I8 and a strong coil spring I06 is secured at one end to the upper portion of the arm and at its other end is anchored to the machine frame and serves to maintain the arm in position with the roller I05 against the cam I8. Also on the shaft 98 is a cam I 0! having an offset I0Ia and such cam is rigid with the shaft as is an arm I08 having a roller I09 operating in a groove 110ain a head IIO carried by an arm I II. A member or arm 2 pivoted at II3 carries a roller II4 against which the offset surface or edge of the cam I0I engages, and this member H2 controls an upper or clamping jaw II5 between which and a lower jaw IIG the stock 42 passes.

Arm III is pivoted intermediate its ends as at I I1 and its outer end carries a roller I I8 operating in the groove of a cam I I9 also secured to the vertical shaft 03. As the cam H9 is rotated it rocks the arm III up and down about its pivot II! and consequently the grooved head IIO on said arm is moved up and down and rocks the arm I08 and the rocking movement of this latter,

arm through the shaft 90 is imparted to the cam I0I. When the high portion of this last cam is under the roller II4 the member H2 is rocked about its pivot so as to force the jaw H5 down-,- wardly and clamp the strip 42 between such jaw and the jaw III). It will be understood that the stock is thus clamped as the slide 91 is being moved forwardly by the arm IOI operating through the link 90. As the slide is moved rearwardly or retracted the arm III is rocked in the opposite direction and the low portion of the cam 1 I01 comes under the roller II4 so that the upper clamping jaw H5 is no longer pressed downmember I23 arranged to be forced against the stock to clamp it. An L-shaped member or lever I24 is pivoted at I25 and one arm of such member carries an adjustable screw I26 adapted to be forced against the plug I23 to press the latter against the stock 42. A spring I27 constantly tends to rock the member I24 in a direction to cause clamping of the stock.

The arm III, during feeding movement of the feed slide 91 is rocked in a direction to carry its head-like portion IIII upwardly, and such portion includes a flange or lip I20 extending below the end of one arm of the member I24 so that as the arm I I I is rocked upwardly the member' I24 is rocked about its pivot I25 in a directiaorn to raise the screw I 28 away from the plug vided with a. pilot the arm I29 of the member I24 may be providedewith an adjustable screw I30 positioned to be engaged by a cam on the gate 22 when the latter descends, so that the member I24 will be temporarily rocked to a If the cutting or blanking punch is proposition to release the stock 42 so that it is free to be properly located by the pilot. This might be used if the piercing punch 9 is used to punch or pierce an opening "0 and it is desired to pass the pilot into the pierced opening to accurately .5 locate the metal strip before the blank is punched from it so that the pierced opening H0 is prop .erly located inthe blank I3.

It will now be understood that as the transfer 31 is reciprocated in the groove 36 of the die block, the transfer moves below the cutting or blanking die 30 and above the forming or second, third and fourth operation dies 45, 5| and 55. Reciprocating movement is imparted to the transfer by means of a cam I3I also keyed to the shaft 83. This cam is located at the upper side of a head I32, which may be formed as part of the bracket 84 and provided with a guideway I33 (see Fig. 2) in which is located a slide I34 having an elongated slot I35 (see Fig.6) through which the shaft 83 passes.

Secured to the slide I34 at opposite sides of the cam I3I are rollers I 36 and I32, and it will be apparent that as the high side of the cam rides, against roller I30 the slide will be advanced and that as the high side of the cam rides against roller I3I the slide will be retracted.

The stem I38 of the roller I36 (see Figs. 1 and 6) extends downwardly through a slot I in the head I32 and an adjustable stop screw I40 is 30 positioned to be engaged by said stem to limit forward movement of the slide. A similar stop screw I4I limits rearward movement of the slide. Toward its forward end the slide I34 carries a block I42 having a slot or groove I43 therein, and the position of this block on the slide may be adjusted by a screw I44.

Into the groove I43 extends the bent or hooked end I45 of a'member I46 secured by screws I 41 to the rear or outer end portion of the transfer 31. Such transfer (see particularly Fig. 10) comprises an elongated member shaped to fit slidably in the groove 30 in the die block 28 and is provided with an elongated opening or slot I48 into which the various work carrying blocks and/or fingers extend.

The blocks for carrying the work or blank I3 from the cutting or blanking station or first working station to the second operation or first forming station comprise a pair of block-like parts I49 suitably shaped to carry the blank I3 and projecting into the groove I48 of the transfer from opposite sides thereof; and secured in place as by screws I50 and pins I5I. For carrying the work from the first to the second forming or 5 third operation station a block I52 and'a finger I53 are used. Such finger is pivoted at I54 and a spring I55 urges said finger about its pivot toward the block I52. An arrangement similar to that just described is used to carry the work from the second to the third forming or fourth operation station. This means comprises a block' I56, a finger I 5I pivoted at I58 and a spring I59 tending to rock such finger toward the block I56.

At I 00 and IN a pair of blocks are shown for carrying the work from the third forming or fourth operation. station. These blocks are held in place by screws I6 Ia although any other means may be used to secure these and. the previously identified blocks in place. In the present instance the blocks I00 and 'I6I are used to carry the finished piece from the third forming station to an outlet or discharge. opening 0' (see Fig- 8) although it will be understood that such blocks might be used to carry the piece to another work I2 of the machine by means of. L-shaped clamps- I62 arranged at the respective ends of the block and each having one arm overlying a lip or ledge I63 of the block. Bolts I64 pass through said clamp and are threaded or otherwise secured to the frame base and about each bolt is a coil spring I65. The clamps are tightened to secure the die block in place by threading down nuts I66 on the upper ends of the bolts"I64. Bolts I61 passing through holes I6Ia in the tool or punch block 21 secure it to the gate 22. Alignment of the punch block 21 and die block 28 is insured by the pins I68 secured to the punch block and operating in openings I69 in the die block.

In the operation of the machine the strip 42 is fed intermittently, the clamp I28 being released while the feed 66 is advancing and gripping the portion of the strip from which blanks have been cut, as the feed is retracted. As the gate 22 moves down the punch 8 pierces the strip,

in the example illustrated providing a rectangular opening I10, and at the same time blanking punch 23 cuts ablank I3 from thestrlp, such blank having 'a previously pierced opening I15 therein.

The blank is out while the transfer is advanced, and punch 23 therefore does not force the blank through the cutting die into the transfer but moves it only part way through the die as to the position of Fig. 11. As the gate also carries the tools 24, 25 and 26 its downward movement causes these, tools to engage the work at the second, third and fourth working stations and carry the work at these stations downwardly out of the transfer. As soon as the work at these stations is out of the transfer-the transfer starts back toward retracted position. The follower 86 is up against the underside of the newly cut blank. Now as the gate moves upwardly the plunger I4 moves down forcing the blank through the die, and the timing is such that when the transfer reaches retracted position the plunger carries the blank into the transfer from the upper side thereof. The blank is pp d between the ends of the plungers or rods I4 and 89 so that it is held in proper position. Fig. 12 shows the punch 23 being retracted and the plunger 14 and rod 89 locating the blank in the transfer.

When the blank is in the transfer, before any upward movement is imparted to the plunger I4 the cam 95, acting through arm 93 and shaft 32, shifts the arm 9| downwardly withdrawing the follower 88 from the underside of the blank. Now after the plunger I4 moves upward the transfer moves forward or toward advanced position carrying the blank with it, and since the blank is being carried by the blocks I48, when the transfer reaches advanced position the blank .24 passesthrough the transfer from the upper -.side thereof it carries the blank out of the trans- The tool forces the blank fer from its lower side.

and the die 45 and its holder downwardly from the position ofFig. 14 to that of Fig. 13, compressing the spring actuating the push rod 64 and bringing the die holder against the anvil 41 so that the die is solidly mounted and work may be 5 performed on the blank. In the drawings it is suggested that "Patd is stamped on the blank at the first forming station and in Fig. 17 the partially formed blank is. designated 13a. In

. Figs. 1, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 16 the gate and the tools 10.

23, 24, 25 and 26 carried thereby are all in their lowermost position.

It will be understood that as the tool 24 is moved downwardly as just described the cutting punch 23 also moves with the gate 22 and cuts 15 another blank from strip 42. As the gate now moves upwardly the spring actuating the push pin 64 causes said pin to raise the die block 44 and die 45 returning these parts to the positions of Fig. 14,. movement of the die 45 the transfer has been retracted to bring the next set of holders I52 and I53 into alignment with die 45, and as the die parts reach this upper position they place the partially completed piece 13a back in the trans- 25 fer. Howeven'as the transfer is now retracted, since it started rearwardly just as soon as the tool 24 moved the blank from between the trans-' fer blocks I48, the piece 13a is returned to the transfer between the block I52 and the finger I53 30 of the transfer.

As the piece 13a is returned'to the transfer through the lower side thereof the next blank I3 is fed into the transfer by the plunger I4 and rod 85. Now when the transfer next advances (this taking place when gate and tools 23, 24, 25 and 26 are raised) it carries the second cut blank I3. to position beneath tool 24 and piece 13a being held by block'I52 and finger I53 is carried to a position beneath the tool 25. The gate again de- 40 scending the tools 23 and 24 act as before and tool 25 forces the work piece 13a from the transfer against. the die 5| which descends to the position of Fig. 15, and here the edges of the opening III) are chamfered as at I'II. After such treatment the work piece is identified in Fig. 17 as 13b.

, When the work piece is removed from the transfer by tool 25 it is taken from the block I52 and finger I53, and during movement of the tool down and back with the die 5| the transfer is re- 50 tracted, and therefore when the spring actuated pin 65 returns the die to normal position the piece now 13b is delivered to the block I56 and finger I51 of the transfer. The transfer again advancing the piece now 13b is carried into position be- 55 low the tool 26 and in position overlying the adjacent ends of the bars 58 and 58. As the gate again descends tools 23, 24 and 25 function as previously described, and tool 26 engaging the intermediate portion of piece 13b carries it downwardly between the adjacent ends of the bars 58 and 59, forcing it against the die 55 and bending its ends upwardly as at. "2.

So far as the example of the present disclosure is concerned the piece when so bent is the finished article, and in Figs. 17 and 18 is identified as 13c. The finished article may be removed from the die 55 in any desired manner or by any desired means but,preferably it is carried by the transfer blocks I68 and I 6| from the die to the outlet opening 0' where it is removed by any suit able stripping means, not shown, or may. drop out of its own weight. When bending'the ends "2 of the work the latter is carried out of the transfer by the tool 26 and then the transfer is During this downward and upward 0' retracted and prior to its next advance the finits blocks i60 and NH.

It should now be understood that the gate and the tools are constantly reciprocated, that on each down stroke of the gate a blank is cut from the strip 42 and that at each of the other stations work is perform-ed on a previously cut piece. All the parts are operated in timed relation with the gate. The blanks are fed into the transfer from the cutting die by'the plunger M and rod 89 while the transfer is retracted, and at each forming station the pieces are forced out of the transfer by the tools or punches while the transfer is in the advanced position and are fed back to the transfer while it is retracted. Therefore, on each forward movement of the transfer each piece is advanced one step through the machine.

Referring to the cam chart of Fig. 20,.each circlc of the chart represents one cam of the ma-. chine, and in the chart the innermost circle H3 represents the cam or eccentric portion E9 of the shaft It for reciprocating the gate 22. The circles H4, H5, H6, H1 and H8 represent respectively the cams H3, H9, Hi, 87 and 95. The arrow I indicates the direction of rotation of the cams.

From the chart it will be clear that the gate is always moving up or down. Between the points A and B the gate is moving down and between the points C and D the gate is moving up. The feed 96 is moving in during the time represented between the points E and F on the circle i'M of the chart, is stationary from F to G, is moving out during the time represented from .G to H and is again stationary during the time represented between points H and E. At N9 the printing shows when the feed grips the stock and the clamp I20 releases it, and the wording at 880 shows the feed releasing the stock and the clamp gripping it.

On the circle I16 the movements of the transfer are represented. It will be seen that the time represented between points I and J represents the advancing of the transfer, that it is stationary or dwells between the points J and K, retracts between. points K and L andagain dwells at the end of its retracting movement as represented between the points L and I. From circles ill and lit it will be clear that the plunger M dwells or moves downwardly with punch 23 between the points M and N, moves downwardly from N to P and upwardly from P to M. The follower 89 is up from O to R, moves down with the blank from R to S and then is carried down from S to T, such downward movement of the follower continuing after the plunger has started upwardly as will be seen by a comparison of the points P and T, it being understood that the plunger starts up at P while the follower continues down to T.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is;

1. In a press, a single reciprocating gate, a plurality of tools carried by said gate for simultaneous operation and of which one tool is a cutting punch, dies for cooperation with the respective tools, said punch having insufficient movement to carry a cut blank through its die, a' transfer means for carrying the cut blank from the outlet side of the punch die to another set of tools, and means independent of the cutting punch and operated in timed relation with the gate to carry the blanks through the cutting die after they have been cut by the punch and deliver them to the transfer.

2. In a press, a single gate carrying a blank cutting punch and asecond operation punch, dies for cooperation with said punches, said cutting punch having insuflicient movement to carry the cut blank through the die, a mechanism,

'blank formingpunches, dies for cooperation with said punches, a transfer for carrying a blank from the cutting to the forming position, and a plunger operating through and independent of the blanking punch for carrying a blank through the blanking die to such transfer.

4. In a blank cutting and forming machine, a cooperating blank cutting punch and die, a cooperating forming punch and die, a single gate carrying both said punches and operating them simultaneously, a carrying mechanism for re.- ceiving a cut blank at the cutting position and carrying it to the forming position, anda plunger operating through but independent of the cuttfng punch for carrying a cut blank through the simultaneously, a carrying mechanism for receiving a cut blank at the cutting position and carrying itto the forming position, a plunger operating through but independent of the cut: ting punch for carrying a cut blank through the cutting die and into the carrying mechanism, and a spring pressed follower to hold a blank against the plunger as the latter carries the blank through the cutting die.

6. In a blank cutting and forming machine, a single gate carrying spaced blank cutting and blank forming punches, dies for cooperation with said punches, a transfer for carrying a blank from the cutting to the forming position, a plunger operating independent of the blanking punch for carrying a blank through the cutting die to such transfer, and a follower to hold a blank against the plunger as the latter carries the blank through the cutting die.

'7. In a press, a single gate carrying blank cutting and forming punches, a die cooperating with the cutting punch to out blanks from a strip of stock and through which die the cutting punch does not pass, and means to carry a cut blank through the die independent of the cutting punch.

8. In a-device oi the character described, a

, reciprocating gate, a plurality of tools carried by said gate, a reciprocable transfer to shift work from one tool to another, means for feeding a blank from the first tool to the transfer from one side thereof while the transfer is retracted, and means cooperating with the second tool to remove a blank from the transfer tov the other side thereof when the transfer is advanced and feed the blank back to the transfer when the latter is retracted.

9. In a device of the character described, a reciprocating gate, a blank cutting tool and a tool for subsequently performing work on the blank both carried by' the gate, a reciprocable a reciprocating gate, a blank cutting tool and a transfer device, means for feeding a blank to the transferfrom one .side thereof while the transfer is retracted so as to be carried to a second tool on the next forward movement of the transfer, and means cooperating with the second tool to remove the blank at the opposite side of the transfer while the latter is in advanced position and feed it back to the transfer while the latter is in retracted position.

10. In a blank cutting and forming machine,

second tool carried by said gate, a die cooperating with each of said tools, a reciprocable transfer, means operable independent of the cutting tool for carrying a blank through the cutting die into the transfer through one side thereof while the transfer is retracted, and means coopcrating with the second tool to remove the blank through the other side of the transfer when the latter is advanced and feed it back into the transfer when the latter is next retracted.

11. In a machine of the class described, a

' gate, a tool carried by the gate, a die cooperating with said tool, a reciprocable transfer, said gate operable to move said tool throughthe transfer to remove a piece of work therefrom when the transfer is in one position, and means to return said piece of work to the transfer when it is in another position. I 12. In a machine of the class described, a ver tically reciprocating gate, a forming tool carried by the gate, a die below the gate and cooperating with the tool, a reciprocable transfer between the die and gate, spring means normally.

maintaining the die in a raised position at the lower side of the transfer, said gate operable to move said tool downwardly-through the transfer to remove a piece of work therefrom to the die when the transfer is in one position and force the die down to a solid position, and said spring means operable as the gate carries the tool upwardly to return the die to normal position and return the piece of work to the transfer with the latter in another position.

13. In a machine of the class described, a vertically reciprocating gate, a forming tool carried by the gate, a die below the gate and cooperating with the tool, a reciprocable transfer between the die and gate, spring means normally maintaining the die in a raised position at the lower side of the transfer, said gate operable to move said tool downwardly through the transfer to remove-a piece of work therefrom to the die when the transfer is in advanced position and force the die down to a solid position, and said spring means operable as the gate carries the tool upwardly to return the die to normal position and return the piece of work to the transfer with the latter in retracted position.

14. In a device of the character described, a reciprocating gate, a plurality of tools carried by said gate, a reciprocable transfer to shift work 5 from one tool to another, means independent of the first tool for feeding a blank therefrom to the transfer while the latter is retracted, and

means cooperating with the second tool to remove a blank from the transfer while it is advanced and return the blank to. it while it is retracted.

15. In a device of the character described, a reciprocating gate, a plurality of tools carried by said gate, a reciprocable transfer to sift work ceiving a cut blank at the cutting position and 25 carrying it to the forming position, a plunger operating through but independent of the cutting punch for carrying a cut blank through the cutting die and into the carrying mechanism, a spring pressed follower to hold a blank against the plunger as the latter carries the blank through the cutting die, and cam means to retract said follower from the blank when the latter is positioned in the carrier.

1'7. Ina press, a single reciprocating gate car- 'rying tools for a plurality of operations so as to be simultaneously operated by the gate, one of said tools being a blanking punch, a die cooperating with said punch, a reciprocating transfer below the die, means on the transfer for carrying 40 work from one tool to another, and means for carrying a cut blank through the die to the transfer operated in timed relation with the gate.

18. In a machine of the class described, a movable gate, a blanking punch carried by said gate, 45

ARTHUR J. LEWIS. 

